It is also important to note that containment zone personnel remain accountable for all waste transported off-site for decontamination, until the waste has been effectively decontaminated. It is the responsibility of containment zone personnel to ensure that proper procedures are followed and that containment is not breached. Failure to follow SOPs can result in the unintentional release of infectious material or toxins from the containment zone, or personnel exposure. Decontaminating all contaminated or potentially contaminated waste prior to disposal minimizes the risk of introducing the infectious pathogens or toxins used in the containment zone into the environment. Some aspects to consider when developing the waste management SOPs are the quantity and type of waste that will be generated, as well as the availability of decontamination systems. Inclusion of waste disposal SOPs in the Biosafety Manual enables personnel to consult protocols as needed. The SOPs describe all aspects of waste disposal, including handling procedures, from the classification and segregation of infectious waste to decontamination method(s), to storage and disposal. Standard operating procedures (SOPs) for waste disposal are developed to support disposal of solid and liquid hazardous material in a manner that minimizes the risk of harm to personnel, the community, and the environment. Standards such as Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Standard CSA Z317.10, Handling of Waste Materials in Health Care Facilities and Veterinary Health Care Facilities, may also be reviewed and considered when developing and implementing a sound waste management program. Footnote 2 Local by-laws may be more stringent than the guidelines recommended by CCME. Footnote 1Ĭanada-wide guidelines exist for the management of certain types of waste (e.g., the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Guidelines for the Management of Biomedical Waste in Canada) however, these are not enforceable unless they are adopted by provincial legislation or municipal by-laws. ![]() The requirements for waste management are specified in Matrix 4.8 of the Canadian Biosafety Standard (CBS), 2 nd Edition. ![]() Depending on the type of waste material, additional waste management considerations or requirements specified by the provincial, territorial, or local (i.e., municipal) authorities may also apply and should be consulted and complied with when establishing and implementing a waste management program. ![]() Even if the waste has been thoroughly and effectively decontaminated prior to removal from the containment zone, it may not be acceptable to simply direct it to the normal waste disposal stream for eventual transfer to a local landfill. Waste leaving the containment zone may be destined for disposal, movement or transportation to a designated decontamination area outside of the containment zone, or transported off-site for decontamination via a third-party biohazardous waste disposal facility (e.g., incineration, steam sterilization). Waste management is an integral component of a biosafety program, and comprises policies, plans, and procedures to address all aspects of waste management, including decontamination and disposal.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |